Crowd targets police after Zach Randolph arrested on drug charge

Zach Randolph, fresh off signing a $24 million contract with the Kings, was arrested on a felony charge of drug possession late Wednesday night. Randolph was allegedly caught in possession of marijuana that was so large in quantity that he was charged with intent to sell.

The arrest came in Los Angeles after the LAPD was called to an area to investigate a disturbance. When the police arrived they found a group of people smoking and blocking the roadway. After Randolph was one of three people arrested, the crowd then became unruly and vandalized several police cars, breaking windows and causing other damage.

Police were forced to call for backup after the crowd began throwing bottles and rocks. No officers were hurt but numerous police cars and a sheriff’s vehicle suffered slashed tires along with broken windows.

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In November, California made the use of recreational marijuana legal, but adults 21 and older are allowed to transport only up to an ounce for non-medical purposes. Randolph was in possession of more than that, according to police, which is why he was arrested for intent to sell.

Randolph signed a two-year deal with the Kings after playing the last eight seasons with the Grizzlies. During his time in Memphis he had rehabilitated his image with his community work after several run-ins with the law, and with teammates, during his early years in the NBA.

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While a 20-year-old rookie in 2002, Randolph was arrested for underage drinking in his hometown of Marion, Indiana. A year later he was suspended for punching a teammate during a practice.

Randolph was first arrested for marijuana in 2003 and charged with driving under the influence of intoxicants.

In 2006, he was cited for street racing in Portland and later charged with sexual assault, though that case was eventually dropped. He was also sued by a man who claimed that Randolph and teammate Qyntel Woods assaulted him in retaliation for dogfighting allegations against Woods.

Later that year, while playing against the Pacers in his home state of Indiana, Randolph flashed an obscene gesture at the crowd and the NBA subsequently suspended him for one game.

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In April 2009, while playing for the LA Clippers, Randolph was arrested on a DUI charge that was later reduced to reckless driving. Three months later he was traded to the Grizzlies, where he became one of the franchise’s most beloved players while staying out of trouble.

For his contributions to the Grizzlies franchise, the team announced it would retire his No. 50 jersey after he signed with the Kings.

In Sacramento, he reunites with coach Dave Joerger, who was on the Grizzlies staff for seven of Randolph’s eight years with the team.

Randolph was, in part, brought to Sacramento to provide veteran leadership for one of the NBA’s youngest teams. Nine of the 15 players under contract with the Kings are either in their first or second year in the NBA.

If Randolph is convicted of or pleads guilty to the latest charge, he will face a suspension from the NBA. It’s not known how long the suspension would be, but in June Monta Ellis and Reggie Bullock were suspended five games for violating the league’s drug policy.